Get ready for a mixed reality extravaganza: Apple is reportedly preparing to unveil its highly-anticipated headset at the Worldwide Developers’ Conference in June. The headset, rumored to be called “Reality One” or “Reality Pro,” will allegedly allow users to switch seamlessly between virtual and augmented reality, making it a perfect device for gaming, fitness, sports, and productivity.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the device will be compatible with millions of existing apps, with developers making slight modifications to optimize their apps for the headset’s 3D interface. But that’s not all: the report suggests that Apple has been working with a select group of developers to create new apps that will take full advantage of the headset’s immersive capabilities.
One exciting feature mentioned in the report is the headset’s ability to run Apple Fitness+ workouts in VR, allowing users to experience a virtual workout that feels like they’re in the same space as their instructor. The headset will also reportedly support immersive sports viewing, using Apple’s streaming rights for Major League Soccer and Major League Baseball, as well as its 2020 purchase of VR sports startup NextVR. Users can even watch videos in virtual environments like a desert or the sky with the Apple TV app.
But the headset isn’t just for fun and games; it will also prioritize productivity, similar to the Meta Quest Pro. The platform will support Pages, Numbers, Keynote, iMovie, and GarageBand, as well as offering communication and remote collaboration features that let users see full-body 3D avatars of people they’re talking with in FaceTime calls. Gaming will also be a major focus, with the report stating that Apple has shifted its attention to gaming after initially neglecting the space.
Gurman also confirms earlier reports about the headset’s features, including a Digital Crown similar to the one found on the Apple Watch and AirPods Max headphones, which lets users switch between VR and AR. The headset will support running multiple apps simultaneously, with floating apps within the mixed-reality interface, and remember where virtual elements were left in the physical environment.
The headset will also feature eye and hand gestures for control, an in-air virtual keyboard, support for physical keyboards, and Siri voice control. Its home screen will look similar to the iPad’s, with Apple’s familiar Control Center for toggling WiFi, Bluetooth, and volume. The headset will use eye scans for security, acting as the device’s equivalent to Face ID and Touch ID.
While the headset’s rumored price tag of $3,000 may seem steep, Apple’s track record of delivering stylish and user-friendly devices cannot be ignored. The device’s robust feature set is sure to elicit curiosity from consumers and developers alike, and could serve as a transition product pointing toward an eventual pair of AR glasses that can be worn all day.
